Lead Scientist

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

📢 How does this work?

✅ Step 1: Read the entire advertisement. Want to join our team? Let us know you’re interested! Click “Apply Online”

✅ Step 2: Tell us about yourself! Attach your resume and answer the screening questions in the online application.

✅ Step 3: We will carefully review all of your qualifications. If your talent matches one of our immediate or upcoming opportunities we may contact you for further information or assessment.

Work environment

The Department of National Defence (DND) is one of the largest federal government employers, offering over 70 types of civilian career opportunities. DND's role is to provide services and support to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in their operations and missions at home and abroad. The civilian workforce is an essential part of the Defence Team. Your knowledge and expertise contribute to the overall mission. In this regard, the department fosters a work environment where you have opportunities to learn, to develop your talents, to progress in your career and have job satisfaction over the long-term.

Intent of the process

The intent of this selection process is to fill one position indeterminately in Gatineau, QC.

A pool of partially or essentially qualified candidates may be established through this process and may be used to staff identical or similar positions at the Department of National Defence.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION:
▶ Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in physics, geology, chemistry or some other science relevant to the position.

Note: The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
▶ Experience conducting or leading scientific studies involving investigational activities.
▶ Experience preparing and reviewing scientific reports and making recommendations.
▶ Experience providing technical advice and direction pertaining to chemicals/chemical products and their use.
▶ Experience developing and using analytical methods for the characterization of any of the following:
↪ Petroleum products, Rubbers, Elastomeric materials, Plastics, Composites, Metals, Organic or inorganic materials, Gases, Hazardous products
▶ Experience in the set-up, operation, acquisition of data and maintenance of modern analytical chemistry instrumentation or specialized physical test equipment
▶ Experience using product standards, or engaging in regulatory programs.

COMPETENCIES:
▶ Demonstrating integrity and respect
▶ Thinking things through
▶ Working effectively with others
▶ Showing initiative and being action-oriented
▶ Communication

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ASSETS:
EDUCATION:
▶A Graduate degree (Master or PhD) from a recognized university in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a chemistry field relevant to the position (analytical, organic, inorganic, polymer chemistry, polymer or material science or chemical engineering) or in environmental sciences.

EXPERIENCE:
▶ Experience working in a laboratory with an accredited quality system.
▶ Experience managing multidisciplinary teams to develop, conduct, and deliver scientific investigations and studies.
▶ Experience conducting complex experiments on metals and inorganic chemicals, involving modern analytical techniques, including:
↪ Mass spectrometers (e.g. ICP-MS),
↪ Spark optical emission spectrometer (Spark-OES), or
↪ X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer
▶ Experience conducting complex experiments on organic, volatile organic compounds, and gases (e.g. the purity of oxygen, breathing gases and related systems) using techniques including:
↪ High performance liquid chromatography – mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS),
↪ Time of flight – mass spectroscopy (TOF-MS), or
↪ Fourier-transform – infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy
▶ Experience conducting complex experiments on the cause, propagation, prevention and mitigation of corrosion and coating failures on a wide variety of substrates.
▶ Experience developing specifications and test procedures, and performing physical and chemical characterization of and testing on one or more of the following:
↪ Fuels, lubricants and associated materials (ie. hydraulic fluids, de-icing fluids, etc.)
↪ Rubber and elastomeric materials, plastics and composites, and other polymeric materials, or
↪ Chemicals/hazardous materials and related environmental issues
▶ Experience performing life cycle material management.
▶ Experience with the selection and application of organic protective coating systems or polymer materials (textiles, plastics, adhesives, rubbers, and polymer composites).

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:
▶ The Department of National Defence is committed to providing an environment where justice, fairness and the elimination of barriers helps build a skilled, diverse and representative workforce reflective of Canada. We welcome diversity in all its forms, promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Please note that selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Indigenous Peoples, Persons with disabilities, Members of visible minorities, Women.

Information on employment equity

▶ In support of Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) initiative #24, consideration may be given to the spouses or common-law partners of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members.

▶ As a result of the relocation of a work unit at Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) in 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, the Department of National Defence is committed to providing access to other work opportunities for AETE- 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta employees. Employees of UIC 2671 – AETE- 4 Wing Cold Lake may be appointed or deployed to positions for which they are qualified ahead of other candidates.

▶ As a result of the reduction of training activities at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), the Department of National Defence is committed to providing access to other work opportunities for BATUS employees. Employees of UIC 7777 – BATUS may be appointed or deployed to positions for which they are qualified ahead of other candidates.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
▶ Willingness to travel and to work overtime.

Conditions of employment

▶ Security Clearance: Secret Level II
▶ Must be capable of wearing personal protective equipment required when working with toxic materials.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

▶ Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

▶ All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the applicants.

▶ Depending on the position being staffed:
↪ Additional qualifications, operational requirements and/or conditions of employment may be required
↪ Varying degrees of breadth and depth of experience may be deemed essential
↪ Asset qualifications may be invoked as essential qualifications
↪ You may be contacted and asked to submit information or be further assessed

▶ Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
↪ Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team;
↪ Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed;
↪ Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience;
↪ Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications;
↪ Organizational Needs

▶ Our organization will only accept on-line applications for this opportunity. Please click “Apply online” to submit your application. Should you have a disability or an exceptional circumstance that requires an alternative application method, please contact us for guidance.

▶ Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.